Katla Ice Cave & South Coast Tour from Reykjavík
by Arctic Adventures · Ice caves · Super jeeps · cruise-excursion · Reykjavík
- Beginners welcome
- Fine on your own
- Good with teenagers
Would this be cheaper direct? No — we sell at Arctic Adventures's own price and take our commission from them, not from you. What you get here is one checkout across operators, one confirmation, and one place to change or cancel it. If you ever find it cheaper on their own site, tell us and we will match it or explain why we cannot.
More photos of Katla Ice Cave & South Coast Tour from Reykjavík
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Duration
12 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Season
Sep – Apr
Starts in
Reykjavík
Meeting
Hotel pickup available
Languages
EN, DE, IS, FR, DA, ZH, ES
Departs
08:00, 09:00
Minimum age
6
Cancellation
Free until 24h before
About this experience
South Coast & Katla Ice Cave Day Tour | From Reykjavík
Discover the hidden powers of Icelandic nature on a tour that combines the classic beauty of the South Coast with a raw, off-road glacier adventure.
Your day starts with a pickup from Reykjavík in a comfortable minibus. As we head east along the Ring Road (Route 1), you will pass through some of Iceland's most scenic countryside, flanked by the North Atlantic Ocean on one side and majestic mountains on the other. Upon reaching Vík, the true adventure begins. We switch gears for a rugged Super Jeep ride, leaving the main road to traverse the wild, black sand plains of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier outlet. You will be taken right up to the base of Kötlujökull, where the landscape looks like another planet.
At the glacier's edge, you will witness thousands of years of history trapped in the ice. The walls of the Katla Ice Cave are distinct for their striped pattern - layers of black volcanic ash from the Katla volcano intermingled with blue and white ice. Your expert guide will lead a short glacier walk to the cave, sharing the fascinating geology and folklore of this active volcanic region.
On the journey from Reykjavík and back we stop at two of Iceland’s most famous waterfalls:
- Skógafoss: A thundering giant located in the beautiful Skógar area, known for its sheer power and folklore legends.
- Seljalandsfoss: A stunning waterfall fed by the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, famous for the path that allows you to walk behind the falling water.
We aim to return to Reykjavík around 8:00 p.m., leaving you with memories of fire, ice, and water.
Highlights:- Convenient pick up from designated pick up spots
- Full day adventure with a perfect mix of sightseeing and activity
- Super Jeep ride: access remote areas standard buses cannot reach
- Glacier & Ice Cave tour: see Myrdalsjökull and the famous Katla Ice Cave
- Iconic South Coast stops: Visit Skógafoss & Seljalandsfoss waterfalls
- Expert glacier guide: Learn the science and stories behind the landscapes
- Accessible adventure: No car, no problem. We pick you up and drop you off after the adventure. This tour is rated as Easy (suitable for most guests in fair condition)
Read more about the Katla Ice Cave tour here.
Description from the operator, Arctic Adventures. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.
Where you go
- Reykjavík Pickup
- Hvolsvöllur
- Skógafoss
- Vík
- Mýrdalsjökull
- Katla Ice Cave
- Vík
- Seljalandsfoss
- Reykjavík
Included
Roundtrip transportation from Reykjavík and select pick-up points
Scenic south coast drive
Wi-Fi on board the minibus from Reykjavík
Sightseeing stops at two iconic South Coast waterfalls: Skógafoss & Seljalandsfoss
Specially modified Super Jeep transport from Vik to the glacier
Expertly guided glacier & blue ice cave tour
Glacier safety gear (glacier crampons, helmet)
English-speaking certified glacier guide
Not included
Food & drinks (available for purchase at service station stop en-route)
Good to know
Warm clothing, waterproof jacket and pants, hiking boots, and gloves.
- Please dress appropriately and note that sturdy footwear is required
- This tour is dependent on weather and natural conditions. Tours may be altered or cancelled if conditions are deemed unsafe. In the event of unfavourable conditions we will send out a cancellation e-mail. On occasion, late cancellations or itinerary adjustments may be unavoidable.
- Glaciers are constantly changing. The Katla Ice Cave evolves with seasonal weather and meltwater fluctuations, making every visit unique. The cave may differ from photographs and may change depending on conditions. The exact appearance and size of the cave cannot be guaranteed.
Cancellation for this tour
Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.
If the weather cancels this tour
Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is melt-water or unstable ice after a warm spell — the guide decides on the morning, and a cave can close for days. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.
- 1Arctic Adventures decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
- 2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
- 3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.
What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.
Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →
Why this one and not the cheaper one?
The nearest cheaper Perlan Ice Cave, Northern Lights Planetarium & Golden Circle Tour from BusTravel Iceland is €107 — €150 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.
| Arctic Adventures · €257 | BusTravel Iceland · €107 | |
|---|---|---|
| How long it runs | 12 hours | 10 hours |
| How hard it is | Easy | Very easy |
The €150 buys you 2 more hours out. Whether that is worth it is your call — but that is what the difference is.
Sold out on your date?
Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.
Who this is not for
- Children under 6 cannot join this one.
- Not a good fit if you want a relaxed day: 12 hours is a long time on the road, most of it spent getting there and back.
Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.
Why we list it
Arctic Adventures is one of 154 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →
What travellers say about Arctic Adventures
Read all 5,129 reviews on Google →Operator rating 4.6/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
This was a phenomenal trip with AMAZING sights. Our tour guide was informative, friendly, and easy to listen to. You will learn a lot and see nature at its greatest. We absolutely loved this tour and would recommend it to anyone. The car ride is comfortable and there is wifi as well! Shout out to our tour guide, Magnus (I hope I’m spelling his name correctly), who told us some hilarious stories.
★★★★★ · a month ago
I spent six days on a bus tour around Iceland with a professional guide. It was an excellent opportunity to gain a comprehensive overview of Iceland's breathtaking nature while also learning about the country's history and the everyday lives of its people. Iceland's landscape and animals are truly unique, featuring magnificent waterfalls, geysers, whales, seals, puffins, volcanoes, glaciers, and mountains. Every day brought new and unforgettable experiences. Of course, none of this would have been possible without our guide, Viko. He not only drove the bus safely but also shared fascinating stories about Icelandic history, culture, and way of life. He was willing to tailor the itinerary to our group's interests and wishes, making the experience even more enjoyable. I am very grateful for his professionalism, knowledge, and enthusiasm in interpreting Iceland's natural and cultural heritage. He played a key role in making this tour such a memorable experience.
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
I did the Iceland South Coast Full Day Small-Group Tour from Reykjavik. Such an amazing tour and one of the highlights of my trip to Iceland! Our guide, Erik, was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information about Iceland throughout the day. We visited some of the country’s most beautiful sights, including stunning waterfalls, Vik, black sand beaches, and other breathtaking stops along the South Coast. The pickup process was simple and organized, making the day completely stress-free. The scenery was incredible from start to finish, and Erik helped make the experience even better with his knowledge, friendliness, and enthusiasm. If you’re visiting Iceland, the South Coast is a must-do, and I highly recommend taking this tour with Erik as your guide!
★★★★★ · 3 months ago
A Fantastic Trip: Review of 3-Day Golden Circle, Ice Cave and Glacier Lagoon Absolutely incredible experience with Arctic Adventures and the guide Hjalti Bjornsson. The pick up from the bus stop was easy and the instructions were super clear. Be aware that they are extremely punctual at every stop. Do not be late by even a minute. We saw so many sites and the weather was perfect for most of the days. Our guide even took us on some stops that were not in the itinerary, but ones he thought were interesting and on the way, like the power plants and some other glaciers. The bus ride was very smooth with plenty of room and the seats were comfortable. The itinerary was well thought out with a great mix of light walking about 3 - 6 miles per day depending on how much you wanted to walk to each site. Some sites like the glacier Skaftafellsjokull (optional) were further away (4 ish miles), while others were much closer (1000ft). The hotel was situated in a beautiful location with sheep everywhere and interesting rock formations. The hotel was very comfortable with hot water and plenty of space to spread out. Our guide was extremely friendly and knowledgable. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone between the ages 10 - 70. However, this might not be the best experience for those with mobility issues as there is walking to some of the best sites.
Reviews from Google · updated 13 Sept 2026
Read before you book
- Katla's ice cave is the practical pick; the crystal caves are the prettier oneKatla ice cave near Vík versus the Vatnajökull crystal caves at Jökulsárlón. Season, how you get in, what the ice looks like, and which suits your trip.
- Winter driving in Iceland is where we tell you to skip the rental carFrom October to April the roads, the daylight and the wind change the maths. Here's when a car still makes sense and when to book tours instead.
- Boat tours in Iceland sort into five kinds, and only two of them are sightseeingWhale boats, aurora cruises, glacier-lagoon zodiacs, island ferries and sea angling. What each one actually is, what it costs, and which are worth a slot.
Reviews from our travellers
Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.
No reviews yet from our travellers on this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.
Ice caves — questions people ask
When can you visit an ice cave in Iceland?
Natural blue ice caves open from around November to March, when the glacier is cold enough for the meltwater tunnels to be safe. They form under Vatnajökull near Jökulsárlón, and the caves change every year. Two exceptions run all year: the Katla ice cave near Vík, which is dark ice striped with ash, and Into the Glacier at Langjökull, a man-made tunnel. If you want the glowing blue photos, come between November and March.
Can I do an ice cave tour as a day trip from Reykjavík?
Only the Katla cave. The South Coast and Katla ice cave tour (/experience/22559/) is about twelve hours from Reykjavík and back. The blue caves at Vatnajökull are five hours' drive each way, too far for a day, so operators sell them as two- or three-day tours (/experience/6131/, /experience/7358/) with a night near Jökulsárlón. If you are self-driving, stay in the Höfn or Skaftafell area and book the Crystal Ice Cave tour (/experience/17337/) from there.
Is the Katla ice cave as good as the blue ice caves?
Different, not worse. Katla's cave under Mýrdalsjökull is black and white, layered with volcanic ash, and open all year. It will not give you the glowing blue tunnel photos from Instagram; those are the Vatnajökull caves, November to March only. What Katla gives you is a shorter super-jeep drive from Vík (/experience/22558/) and availability in summer. If you are here between November and March and can reach Jökulsárlón, choose blue. Otherwise choose Katla.
Are ice caves safe?
With a guide, yes. Operators inspect the caves daily and cancel when meltwater, warm weather or ice movement makes them unsafe, which happens most often in November and March at the edges of the season. You wear a helmet and crampons and stay with the group. Never enter a glacier cave on your own. If your tour is cancelled for safety, you get a full refund or another date, and most operators try to substitute another cave first.
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Everything here goes into the same basket and the same single payment, however many operators it comes from.
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